Listening to Congresswoman Donna Edwards - What I took away.

[qwlauren35]

I had an opportunity to attend a presentation put together by Donna’s sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta. Having heard Donna speak many times, I did not take a notebook. I am kicking myself. But one thing stuck in my mind, and that is the question I asked about universal candidacy.

When I was campaigning a few weeks ago, a man in the group said that Donna is perceived as a woman's candidate. So I asked her to talk about her universal candidacy and how to present her to men, especially white men.

Here's what she gave me:

When Donna fights for family issues, she’s fighting for breadwinners of both genders, across racial lines, who struggle to make ends meet, who choose which bills to pay, who cough up huge sums for daycare, who may need a sick day, who can’t survive on today’s minimum wage, or worse still, today’s tip wage. Parents who want their children to have opportunities, like college, high school graduates who need to be able to learn a skill and go out and get a job without a degree. Young professionals who need to get out from the weight of student debt. As someone who has been a breadwinner, she understands financial priorities, she understands being the rock of the family. So, instead of focusing on the “single mom” label, focus on the “breadwinner” label and see how what she wants for Marylanders, and the American people, is universal.

And of course, feel free to donate to the campaign if you wish: https://donnaedwardsforsenate.com

[Beowulf]

1. She really needs the money!

I don't live in Maryland, so I won't be able to vote for her, but I've been following her career and I think she's exactly what we need in the Senate. Unfortunately, the Congressional Black Caucus PAC chose to endorse her white, well-funded, corporate democrat opponent, so she will be without major sources of donations.

[Wilms]

2. ^

[BlueMTexpat]

3. I love Donna and

will be voting for her in the primary!

[Kind of Blue]

4. For my old state's sake

I will continue to donate what I can to the Edwards' campaign.

Thanks very much for the updates, qwlauren35

[Blasphemer]

5. Thanks for this

Because of your posts and others, I became aware of Congresswoman Edward's candidacy (I'm from a different state). She represents what I see as the future of the Democratic party and I've made my only political donation so far this election cycle to her campaign. I expect my life circumstances to change a bit later this year and I hope that I will have the opportunity to be more active in my support of her campaign. Thanks again!

[qwlauren35]

6. The need for a black woman's perspective.

As I put in General Discussion, when Donna speaks to an all black audience, she peppers her words with statistics that have meaning and hit home. She talked about the importance of not raising the eligibility age for Social Security because that especially shafts black men, with their shorter lifespans. She talked about going to a Healthy Heart dance, with an emphasis on healthy eating, and noted that heart disease is the number one killer of older black women. She talked about the statistics of unequal pay for equal work, not only in terms of women, but, and the numbers are worse, for black women, and worse still, for Latina women.

Now in addition to that, Donna was in front of an audience of women. So she talked about how when she first got into office the first thing she did was to secure free dinners for disadvantaged children, a program that Maryland had been eligible for, but had never signed up for. As a non-mother, the significance of this goes right past me, but when I saw other mothers in the audience, I saw them nodding, and understanding. Experience shapes perspective. Donna is a mom, she sees the importance of kids eating dinner. She sees the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, and she does it, because that's part of her perspective.

So, in direct contrast to the OP, I point out that having a black woman, a mother, in a political position of power, such as Congress or the Senate, is game changing. And that's why we need more of them.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. I donated!

Thanks for all you are doing. It's not about Donna - she'd say it's about you!

I've given to both she and Raskin - but Raskin I have a one step connection to.